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Torc Discovery Rivals Snettisham Hoard

An Iron Age torc unearthed in a Norfolk field this summer has been hailed as an exceptional find on a par with the famed Snettisham hoard.

Norfolk Museums Service expert Dr John Davies said the item dated back to the Iceni tribe, probably a generation before Iceni leader Boudicca lived.

He said: "It is indeed a very fine example. It compares with some of the very finest examples that have turned up at Snettisham.

"It's a very exceptional find, a delightful find in many respects because it's aesthetically beautiful.

"The number we have of these isn't vast, so every one that turns up is important."

Dr Davies said he would love to see the artefact, which was found by farmer Owen Carter in July and declared treasure by a coroner last week, on display in the Castle Museum, Norwich.

"It would be lovely for people to come and see and appreciate the magnificent craftsmanship of the people of the time," he said.

"We would be interested in acquiring it if we possibly can. It's something we would love to put into our Boudicca gallery."

But the museums service will have to wait for the torc to be valued and then look into applying for funding.

A report by Dr JD Hill of the British Museum revealed that the item, which was made between 200 and 50 BC , survived more than 2000 years intact before suffering recent minor damage from agricultural machinery.

He added that it was similar to the "Snettisham Great Torc, but lacking the elaborate La Tene or Early Celtic design".

Dr Davies said the electrum torc would have belonged to a prestigious figure in Iron Age Norfolk and Boudicca would have worn similar jewellery.

"It would a badge denoting how prestigious they were, belonging to a tribal chief for example," he said.

"We can tell they were someone very important in the society because of the value, craft and care that was spent on them.

"It adds to our understanding of the great wealth possessed in west Norfolk at that time, which suggests it was a very important area."